$26.2 billion for a customer list?

Enterprise Times and Computer Business Review asked Daniel Domberger, Partner at Livingstone London, for his thoughts on Microsoft’s US$26.2bn acquisition of Linkedin:

In Enterprise Times:

Daniel Domberger, Partner at Livingstone, commented “Microsoft has struggled both to diversify and to integrate major acquisitions. This deal could be seen as it playing catch up to other players such as Alphabet and Facebook, as they have diversified into broader holding companies. On the other hand, if it is to be shown to be a genuine strategic move, Microsoft will have to integrate it far more deeply and successfully than it has in the past.

“However, this deal clearly shows Microsoft is prepared to go back to its roots and bolster its original mission: to empower every person and organization to achieve more.”

Daniel Domberger, Partner at Livingstone said: “Every professional should take notice – the deal between these two technology giants might transform their working days. Both Microsoft Office and LinkedIn are synonymous with professional business and this deal could cement the presence each already has in the professional working world. Aligning Outlook, Office 365 and Exchange with LinkedIn’s huge data network is the key to unlocking the potential here – providing technology and services both to enterprises and to the people working within them. It may also finally deliver Microsoft some meaningful Social capability.”